Shower head operating mechanism

ABSTRACT

The operating mechanism is shown consisting of a rotary actuating member or turbine wheel driven by water flow through the head, the wheel having a cam co-action with a plate fixed in the shower head. The resulting axial oscillation of the wheel is imparted to a closure or restricting stopper or plug relative to an outlet opening in an outlet plate of the head, the plug being carried by a shaft from the wheel. Variable or pulsating water emission is thus effected from the opening. A rear perforated feed plate directs water flow to the wheel which is shown resiliently loaded to maintain the cam co-action by a compression spring acting between the plate and wheel as in FIGS.  1  and  2 . Positive two way cam operation of the wheel is shown in FIG.  3  by and between the feed plate and plate. The plug is screw adjustable on the shaft for variation of water emission and has a taper cooperation with the outlet opening.

This invention has reference to shower heads usually in the form of handsets and has for its object to provide shower head operating mechanismwhereby a unique shower effect is provided and which may also beadjustable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

By way of background prior art U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,284 (Arnold)discloses a spray head primarily for providing a pulsed emission ofwater in which a rotor within the head is rotated by water flow throughthe latter, the rotor also serving as a valve member and having a camaction cooperation with the inner end of a nozzle for oscillationrelative to the nozzle in effecting pulsating water flow therethrough,the nozzle extending forwardly to provide an outlet at a front faceplate of the head. The nozzle is axially adjustable in the head forvarying pulsation of the water flow or for providing a continuous waterspray from the head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In contrast and according to this invention shower head operatingmechanism wherein the shower head has a front outlet plate and containsat least one operating mechanism which includes a rotary member arrangedfor rotation within the head by water flow through the latter and alsoarranged for axial oscillation in said head in controlling wateremission from the front outlet plate is characterized by the rotarymember comprising a bladed turbine wheel for rotation by water flowthrough the head and having a cam co-action with at least one part fixedin the head for effecting axial oscillation of the turbine wheel, saidturbine wheel having an axial shaft connection with a closure or waterflow restricting member which cooperates with an outlet in the frontplate whereby the closure or water flow restricting member is axiallyoscillated in said outlet for variable or pulsed water emissiontherefrom.

The closure or water flow restricting member may be axially adjustablerelative to the turbine wheel shaft for obtaining variation in the formof the water emission from the shower head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A practical example of a shower handset containing operating mechanismaccording to the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are axial plane cross sectional views of the shower handset respectively showing an open position and a closed or restrictingposition of the operating mechanism, and

FIG. 3 is an axial plane cross section showing an alternative form ofthe operating mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The head portion 10 of the handset 1 having a tubular handle 11 containsthe operating mechanism 2 which is shown basically comprising a turbinewheel 20 having blades 21 and connected by a shaft 23 to a closure orrestricting plug 3 received in an outlet opening 40 in the head sprayplate 4. As usual the various parts of the handset 1 including theoperating mechanism 2 are made of suitable plastic material (apart fromany spring loading).

For assembly purposes the spray plate 4 is screw threaded by its sidewall 41 into the head 10, a sealing O-ring being provided at 42. Theturbine wheel 20 is concentrically located in the head 10 (and, asshown, within the spray plate 4) between an upper water feed plate 5 anda lower cam plate 6 through which the shaft 23 passes. An upper shaft 25of the turbine wheel 20 is rotatably received in the feed plate 5 forsuitable rotary support of the wheel 20.

Openings 50 in the feed plate 5 direct water flow within the head 1against the upstanding blades 21 of the turbine wheel 20 to impartrotation to the latter, the blades 21 being preferably inclined from theradial direction or otherwise suitably arranged for obtaining aneffective turbine action.

The underside of the turbine wheel 20 has a cam co-operation with thecam plate 6 and for this purpose is shown provided with a dependingeccentric follower 26 which co-operates with a central cam formation 61or boss on the cam plate 6 so that as the wheel 20 rotates it is subjectto axial oscillation or reciprocation. Such oscillation is imparted tothe shaft 23 and plug 3 for its opening and closing or restrictingmovement relative to the outlet opening 40.

Continuous contact of the follower 26 with the cam formation 61 ismaintained by spring loading shown provided by a compression spring 7acting between the feed plate 5 and the turbine wheel 20. The uppershaft 25 is of sufficient axial extent for oscillation in the feed plate5 and so maintains upper support of the wheel 20.

A light spring 7 sufficient for the purpose should be employed so as tominimize frictional restriction of rotation of the wheel 20. Ananti-friction washer may be interposed between the spring 7 and wheel20.

In an alternative arrangement a compression spring may act on theunderside of the wheel 20 from the plate 6 with an upstanding followerfrom the wheel 20 cooperating with central cam formation on theunderside of the upper feed plate 5. However, this would entail astronger spring to lift the wheel 20 and plug 3 against the water flowand which may result in increased friction between the spring and thewheel 20.

The use of a spring can be dispensed with by providing a positive twoway cam action. Thus as shown in FIG. 3 an upstanding eccentric follower27 is also provided on the wheel 20 for cooperation with central camformation 51 on the underside of the feed plate 5, i.e. in addition tothe depending follower 26 and cam formation 61. As a result the wheel 20and plug 3 are positively oscillated in both directions.

Other means of positive oscillation may be provided such as by radialpins extending from the wheel 20 and engaging cam slot formation in theside wall 41 of the spray plate 4 (or in the head 10) or vice versa.

The blades 21, shafts 23, 25 and the follower 26 or followers 26 and 27are shown integral with the turbine wheel 20 e.g. as a plastic molding.Water flow through the head 10 would have a lubricating action ineffecting easy operation of the working parts of the mechanism 2.

The cam plate 6 is also provided with openings 60 for passage of waterfrom about the turbine wheel 20 to the outlet opening 40 in the sprayplate 4. The outlet opening 40 and plug 3 are shown of correspondingoutward taper form for suitable water emission.

In operation the rotating and oscillating turbine wheel 20 causes theplug 3 to be moved outwardly and inwardly relative to the outlet opening40 so that a unique pulsating emission of water is obtained which may beof a fairly concentrated jet form. However, variation in the form of thewater emission can be effected by axially adjusting the plug 3 on theshaft 23 by its screw mounting 32 on the latter. Thus by unscrewing theplug 3 outwardly a more divergent spray form of water emission can beprovided. The rotation of the plug 3 relative to the outlet opening 40may impart a swirling action to the water emission.

The plug 3 and outlet opening 40 may be of different shape, orcorresponding shape, according to the nature of water emissionrequirements. Thus, for example, the plug 3 and outlet opening 40 may beof corresponding mushroom or part spherical shape.

More than one operating mechanism 2 with a corresponding outlet at 40may be provided in one shower head e.g. by means of a suitableminiaturized form of each mechanism within the head. Each mechanism mayoperate in relation to a different type of outlet, and selector valvecontrol of water flow to the mechanisms may be provided for theirselective operation. It is to be understood that various otherconstructional and functional modifications may be made to the operatingmechanism within the scope of the invention herein defined i.e. asincorporated in a shower head or supplied for use therein. The showerhead may also include other selectable shower modes in any known orsuitable manner.

What is claimed is:
 1. Shower head operating mechanism wherein theshower head has a front outlet plate and contains at least one operatingmechanism which includes a rotary member arranged for rotation withinthe head by water flow through the latter and also arranged for axialoscillation in said head in controlling water emission from the frontoutlet plate, the rotary member comprising a bladed turbine wheel forrotation by water flow through the head and having a cam co-action withat least one part fixed in the head for effecting axial oscillation ofthe turbine wheel, said turbine wheel having an axial shaft connectionwith a closure or water flow restricting member situated at the frontexterior of the outlet plate for cooperation with an outlet opening inthe front plate whereby the closure or water flow restricting member isaxially oscillated in said outlet for variable or pulsed water emissiontherefrom.
 2. Shower head operating mechanism according to claim 1wherein the turbine wheel receives water flow directed to it through afirst apertured feed plate fixed within the shower head and positionedupstream of the turbine wheel.
 3. Shower head operating mechanismaccording to claim 1, wherein the closure or water flow restrictingmember is a plug, wherein the plug tapers inward toward the outletopening for cooperation with a correspondingly formed tapered seating ofthe outlet opening.
 4. Shower head operating mechanism according toclaim 1 wherein the closure or water flow restricting member is axiallyadjustable on the axial shaft connection for obtaining variation in theform of the variable or pulsed water emission from the outlet opening.5. Shower head operating mechanism according to claim 1 wherein theturbine wheel is axially spring urged for maintaining its cam co-actionwith the part fixed in the head.
 6. Shower head operating mechanismaccording to claim 2 wherein the turbine wheel has cam co-action withthe first fixed apertured feed plate and with a second apertured fixedplate located downstream of the turbine wheel.
 7. Shower head operatingmechanism according to claim 2 wherein the turbine wheel has a rearwardaxial shaft received in a rear part fixed in the head for rotary andoscillatory support of the turbine wheel.
 8. Shower head operatingmechanism according to claim 7 wherein the rearward axial shaft isreceived in the rear apertured feed plate as fixed in the head for saidrotary and oscillatory support of the turbine wheel.